4x4 auto hubs not locking

divaslone · 11-04-2009, 12:51 PM

Hi, Just had a mechanic replace the cv joints and bearings and shocks/struts. Now the 4x4 won't engage. The mechanic said he didn't do anything that could affect the auto hubs. But I thought he had to disassemble a heck of a lot before getting to the front bearings and cv joint.

I have no idea if he is telling me the truth or not. I really don't care about that, water under the bridge type of thing, but my first concern is getting the car fixed.

What can be wrong with the auto hubs not locking and where do I start to look? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

kick-fix · 11-04-2009, 05:49 PM

auto locks are cranky , that way.
if you dont do the maintenance they will fail. when they fail it will be at diff. temperatures or who knows what.

once dirty and rusting in side , all you have to do is hold tongue wrong and they mess up.
I unbolted them , and put them back. it has a spline so no way to go in wrong.

first have them service.
clean them, then lube them.

here is me doing a 96. it is really simple.
not having them services is bad idea.

every fall, is best , depends if you ford steams or on your usage, and weather.
i just paint them with marine grease, it dont get cold in Costa Rica , so that grease is beast. boat shop GP grease.

im sure he did good. after all you didnt pay for hub service so all he can do is
off them and ON them.
get them cleaned. ( hot tank them then clean the rust off if any then lube them)
then look for damage when clean.
there is a ball latch or some strange latch thing inside the AUTOs. and can be a real pain to get working correctly. Simple is better , manuals, IMHO.
and safer for towing the kick. if ever.

good luck on your repairs.

divaslone · 11-05-2009, 07:54 AM

Thanks for your help. I'll try a cleaning first. 2 questoins..

Should the 4x4 shifter be in neutral or just off position (far back) position. I know you have to mark the manual hubs but do you have to do that with the autos too?

Thanks again for your help.

kick-fix · 11-05-2009, 12:49 PM

Autos , (to see if it locks up , you need to be in 4wd)
for Autohubs, i have no idea how to test them , not running. (wheel up Auto test)
i dont think marking is necessary, but i mark every thing i take off. pretty much.
with like 10,000 posts here with ppl asking how to put something back together, it is a practice you learn quickly. Ask any engine build. (put it back like you found it.)
all rotation parts this is SOP, std. operating practice.

at one point , all the things were balanced in the factory. no harm in going back.

no idea how to test them
other than just drive it in loose soil and look, feel them. ?
i guess you clean them inspect them and pray they work,, clean and pray.
that's autos. but i do avoid them . I like control.

divaslone · 11-06-2009, 08:11 AM

Got the left hub off by way of the six allen bolts. But couldn't find anyway to disassemble the unit. Had two local mechanics look at it and they both couldn't figure it out either.

I need to disassemble the unit because the last inner piece has the tooth broken. Looks like a locking device that engages the 4x4.

kick-fix · 11-06-2009, 01:08 PM

there are few lovers of autolock's.
how to test them, how to use them when stuck (tricks yes) , how to service them.
I dont know.

no one has ever posted a picture of trying to deal with autos.
not here.

surely one can get it apart (hope), if not, then they are just trash.

divaslone · 11-07-2009, 08:26 AM

Yep...I don't think you can disassemble. I found out what piece broke though, it's called the Indexing Tab. I'm just going to get a used auto hub and replace the unit as a whole. In the future, maybe change to manual hubs.

Thanks again.

kick-fix · 11-07-2009, 02:10 PM

thanks for trying to take it apart, if it cant this saves others the trying, etc.

ive never attempted , it, mostly , kick em to curb.

i will search more for this , nfo.

qoute:zukwarrie forum:
The Suzuki Service Manual says that auto hubs are not repairable and should be replaced if non-functional.
I've not heard of anyone successfully dismantling them. Want to be the first?
unquote:

yet another reason to not like them.
the manuals are easy to clean and keep clean and to trust. (knowing they will work when asked to , is kinda important in bad weather)